-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Sega Genesis/MegaDrive Appreciation Thread: Alien Storm > Golden Axe
- Thread starter IrishNinja
- Start date
daninthemix
Member
Was just wondering if there are any other games in the Rolling Thunder style? I only know of James Bond: The Duel.
In fact, what sub-genre is this anyway?
In fact, what sub-genre is this anyway?
sixteen-bit
Member
I'm pretty stumped as far as Genesis goes, but if you liked Rolling Thunder and have other consoles, you might like Codename: Viper (NES), Elevator Action Returns (Saturn) and City Hunter (PC Engine).
Shadow Dancer or Shinobi Master System might appeal to your Rolling Thunder sensibilities with their sort of high/low planar level design, but they're not really similar otherwise.
Funny that I actually ran into Robo Aleste today...of course the case was empty, but still.
Sounds good though, but is Dungeon Explorer on PC engine CD as well? Or am I getting it confused with something else?
A Black Falcon
Member
Sega CD Dungeon Explorer is an original title, not a port. It's okay, but the Turbografx and Turbo CD games are better, honestly... for a Gauntlet-style game on the Genesis, play Gauntlet IV for Genesis. However, there are a bunch of great Sega CD games. Among many others, also don't forget the better Core Designs games, such as Battlecorps and SoulStar. The other shmups, like Keio Flying Squadron and Silpheed, are great as well. And yeah, Dark Wizard is outstanding. It's a quite good hex-based strategy game with some RPG elements. Etc.
Robo Aleste's notable too. It's a fantastic game, and it's not too expensive! It's far cheaper than MUSHA, and I think it's a better game too...
Spectral Glider
Member
My favorite Sega CD games:
Batman Returns - Mostly for the driving levels of course, difficulty is pretty freaking high though. But the music and graphics are ace.
AH3 Thunderstrike - Cool helicopter arcade/sim game.
Final Fight CD - Hard to explain, but I enjoy this more than the arcade original. The sound and music are awesome.
The Terminator - Awesome platformer/shooter with amazing Tommy Tallarico tunes and brief clips from the film. Much better than the version that appeared on the Genesis IMO.
Sonic CD - I don't enjoy this as much as Genny Sonics, but for the Sega CD, it's definitely worth owning.
Jaguar XJ220 - This is kind of an underrated 16-bit racer. The sounds and tunes are great and the season mode was pretty deep for the time.
AfterBurner III - I realize I'm in the minority on this one. Yes, the ground level graphics are sparse and bland. But I always enjoyed the speed and thought the game was just so much more playable than previous Afterburners, meaning that I can last longer than 2 minutes without getting blown out of the sky. And the music is just godlike. I played this one a ton.
Road Avenger - This was the game that sold me on the Sega CD. Normally I'm not a fan of these types of games, but Road Avenger is just so damn awesome.
Honorable Mentions: Amazing Spiderman vs. Kingpin, The two Ecco games, Cobra Command, Eternal Champions, Rise of the Dragon, Prince of Persia
Batman Returns - Mostly for the driving levels of course, difficulty is pretty freaking high though. But the music and graphics are ace.
AH3 Thunderstrike - Cool helicopter arcade/sim game.
Final Fight CD - Hard to explain, but I enjoy this more than the arcade original. The sound and music are awesome.
The Terminator - Awesome platformer/shooter with amazing Tommy Tallarico tunes and brief clips from the film. Much better than the version that appeared on the Genesis IMO.
Sonic CD - I don't enjoy this as much as Genny Sonics, but for the Sega CD, it's definitely worth owning.
Jaguar XJ220 - This is kind of an underrated 16-bit racer. The sounds and tunes are great and the season mode was pretty deep for the time.
AfterBurner III - I realize I'm in the minority on this one. Yes, the ground level graphics are sparse and bland. But I always enjoyed the speed and thought the game was just so much more playable than previous Afterburners, meaning that I can last longer than 2 minutes without getting blown out of the sky. And the music is just godlike. I played this one a ton.
Road Avenger - This was the game that sold me on the Sega CD. Normally I'm not a fan of these types of games, but Road Avenger is just so damn awesome.
Honorable Mentions: Amazing Spiderman vs. Kingpin, The two Ecco games, Cobra Command, Eternal Champions, Rise of the Dragon, Prince of Persia
IrishNinja
Member
aww yeah, sega-CD love! man i went through Sherlock Holmes, Prize Fighter and all kindsa shit for that thing...Jurassic Park was weird but prolly my favorite game in the series (not including the coin-op).
Shining Force is a bitch to find, but i think it's the Game Gear versions that like no one played, and more SF is always welcome. other Genesis games saw their definitive versions there, with added content, like Amazing Spider-Man vs Kingpin, Batman Returns, Eternal Champions etc...you just gotta deal with some harsh loading sometimes.
but yeah you guys named most of the good ones...the one ive heard about a few times but never got around to trying is Wirehead, supposedly one of the better FMV games. Also, ive got this copy of Rise of the Dragon i should really give a go one day.
eh..obviously better graphics on PSX, and its been years but i figure the voice acting might hold up better...but they made some rather large plot changes, in regards to the villain's motive/incentive, and as a huge Ghaleon fan, it can kinda throw you off. run through either on that you can though, as i still think 2 is the better one.
Shining Force is a bitch to find, but i think it's the Game Gear versions that like no one played, and more SF is always welcome. other Genesis games saw their definitive versions there, with added content, like Amazing Spider-Man vs Kingpin, Batman Returns, Eternal Champions etc...you just gotta deal with some harsh loading sometimes.
but yeah you guys named most of the good ones...the one ive heard about a few times but never got around to trying is Wirehead, supposedly one of the better FMV games. Also, ive got this copy of Rise of the Dragon i should really give a go one day.
eh..obviously better graphics on PSX, and its been years but i figure the voice acting might hold up better...but they made some rather large plot changes, in regards to the villain's motive/incentive, and as a huge Ghaleon fan, it can kinda throw you off. run through either on that you can though, as i still think 2 is the better one.
A Black Falcon
Member
My favorite Sega CD games?
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue
Keio Flying Squadron
SoulStar
Silpheed
Dark Wizard
Snatcher
Robo Aleste
Sonic CD
Battlecorps
Popful Mail
Honorable Mentions: The Adventures of Batman & Robin, Shining Force CD, Flink, Sol-Feace, Star Wars: Rebel Assault, Android Assault, Time Gal, Beyond the Limit: Formula One World Championship, Mickey Mania, Lunar: The Silver Star, Starblade, Wild Willy, Jurassic Park, Rise of the Dragon, Night Striker (Japan only release), The Terminator, Ecco and Ecco 2 CD, and some more.
Best Live-Action-Video-Centric Games: Ground Zero Texas, Lodestar, Wirehead
Worst Live-Action-Video game: It's hard to choose only one, but... I guess Supreme Warrior. That game is almost beyond words, it's so terrible. Some of the FMV games are so bad they're funny, but that one's just painful, I think... stuff like Night Trap and Double Switch aren't much better, I thought, but they are a little better than that one. I've stayed away from Make My Video, or else they'd probably also be on the list... Oh, and it's anime-style and not live-actors, but the Japan-only Ranma game is awful! It's an anime-FMV rock-paper-scissors game. Yes, that really is all you get.
I like Lunar 1 better on PS1, and Lunar 2 better on Sega CD. Some people like Lunar 1 more on Sega CD, though... it is pretty different in a bunch of ways. I like the additions the PS1 version made, though, for the most part... but Lunar 2 PS1 was less changed, and the changes it made weren't as positive. There are a few good changes (visible enemies), but not much else... overall the SCD version is better, I think.
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue
Keio Flying Squadron
SoulStar
Silpheed
Dark Wizard
Snatcher
Robo Aleste
Sonic CD
Battlecorps
Popful Mail
Honorable Mentions: The Adventures of Batman & Robin, Shining Force CD, Flink, Sol-Feace, Star Wars: Rebel Assault, Android Assault, Time Gal, Beyond the Limit: Formula One World Championship, Mickey Mania, Lunar: The Silver Star, Starblade, Wild Willy, Jurassic Park, Rise of the Dragon, Night Striker (Japan only release), The Terminator, Ecco and Ecco 2 CD, and some more.
Best Live-Action-Video-Centric Games: Ground Zero Texas, Lodestar, Wirehead
Worst Live-Action-Video game: It's hard to choose only one, but... I guess Supreme Warrior. That game is almost beyond words, it's so terrible. Some of the FMV games are so bad they're funny, but that one's just painful, I think... stuff like Night Trap and Double Switch aren't much better, I thought, but they are a little better than that one. I've stayed away from Make My Video, or else they'd probably also be on the list... Oh, and it's anime-style and not live-actors, but the Japan-only Ranma game is awful! It's an anime-FMV rock-paper-scissors game. Yes, that really is all you get.
I like Lunar 1 better on PS1, and Lunar 2 better on Sega CD. Some people like Lunar 1 more on Sega CD, though... it is pretty different in a bunch of ways. I like the additions the PS1 version made, though, for the most part... but Lunar 2 PS1 was less changed, and the changes it made weren't as positive. There are a few good changes (visible enemies), but not much else... overall the SCD version is better, I think.
IrishNinja
Member
man it took me forever to beat Willie Beamish...never did win that stupid frog race, the controls were terrible
having finally had a chance to play it recently...i didn't get too far, but i think so, yeah. it's just so sharp/polished.
having finally had a chance to play it recently...i didn't get too far, but i think so, yeah. it's just so sharp/polished.
Seven Force
Banned
I will forever kick myself for selling Snatcher as a kid to fund a shiny new PS2, and even more for not jumping on a CIB CL deal for $60.
FrostuTheNinja
Member
Dude, I was in a Babbage's staring at Snatcher and decided to get Wonder Dog.
Whhhhhyyy?!
My Sega CD. Got if for Christmas the year it was launched. This pic was from around 10 years ago before I packed it away. In recent years my younger brother had it out and he claims it boots but wouldn't read any of the games....interesting because it worked fine when I packed it. 
I owned Snatcher, all the Working Designs games etc...enjoyed it. Unfortunately I was stupid and eBay'd them about 13 years ago because I needed the cash. I think I sold Snatcher off for $65.
I owned Snatcher, all the Working Designs games etc...enjoyed it. Unfortunately I was stupid and eBay'd them about 13 years ago because I needed the cash. I think I sold Snatcher off for $65.
IrishNinja
Member
HIGH INTENSITY...a $300 software value!!
man what a sexy box..you just saw that thing and knew it was taking you & your genesis to the future
haha damn man...i recall grabbing Wonder Dog over Silpheed (i later corrected this!) because i wanted a mascot platformer, but yeah this stings way worse
man what a sexy box..you just saw that thing and knew it was taking you & your genesis to the future
haha damn man...i recall grabbing Wonder Dog over Silpheed (i later corrected this!) because i wanted a mascot platformer, but yeah this stings way worse
Seven Force
Banned
FrostuTheNinja
Member
I was about 10 years old, so that explains a little but damn does that memory haunt me.
Shadow Hog
Member
I kinda regret not buying Shining Force CD from that game store in Las Vegas for only $50. Still, my reasoning was sound; I didn't have a Sega CD at the time. Now I do, but copies go for twice that. Bah.
But yeah, like I mentioned earlier, ordered and waiting on Flink. Looked like a fairly charming Amiga port, so...
But yeah, like I mentioned earlier, ordered and waiting on Flink. Looked like a fairly charming Amiga port, so...
Spectral Glider
Member
Oh yeah, forgot Sol-Feace, I did enjoy that one. That was another one with great music. Rebel Assault, I remember waiting what seemed like forever for that to come out. It was OK, but I remember being mostly disappointed with it.
Another game that was kind of cool was Wolfchild.
As for live action, of the ones I played, I guess my favorite was Tomcat Alley. Horrible acting of course, but the game was kind of fun. The two worst ones I played, Sewer Shark and Loadstar.
A Black Falcon
Member
Rebel Assault isn't the greatest game, but I have very strong nostalgia value for it... the PC version of that game was the first CD-based game I played, after we got our first computer with a CD drive in early 1995, so I played the game then. It definitely helps, because yeah, the game has issues. It's probbaly the worst game in that "honorable mentions" list. Even so though, I did enjoy playing through the Sega CD version when I bought it in '07 or so, so I thought it was worth putting on the list... but yeah, only buy if you played it before and like Star Wars. Otherwise, it's just an okay, somewhat disjointed action game, which tries a bunch of different action game styles (rail shooter, turret target shooter, light-gun style shooter on the ground with a dodge button, etc.), but isn't great at any of them. Fun game though even so. A bit disappointing compared to what it could have been, but it is fun.
The Sega CD version is the worst port, though. Graphically actually it looks very similar to the PC version (or maybe vice versa...), but on PC there's one more level (a second light-gun-style stage) and you can play as a female pilot if you wish instead of just male. There's also a 3DO version I've never played that looks like it might have improved visuals.
Also of course there's the sequel, for PC and PS1. I've never played the PS1 port, but on PC it's alright. It's like the first game, but it's a bit more focused and refined the second time, and of course it has new live-action-video cutscenes, not just a few movie clips and drawings for the rest of it like the first game has. I thought the second one was okay, but actually enjoyed the first more... it's a very simplistic game, again, and they didn't add any more depth to it in the second game. Also, by the time I played Rebel Assault 2 I'd tried TIE Fighter, and that's so much more of a game. Rebel Assault 2 was okay, but it's not as memorable. Like, I can still remember many of the cutscenes and voice clips in Rebel Assault 1... it's classic stuff, I think. The game has that great (for CD games from that period) balance of somewhat cheesy but entertaining voice acting, and the script isn't so large as to be annoying, either. The second game has video, lots more cutscenes (two CD game...), somewhat better acting and it's all video instead of drawings, but the end results aren't really better... it's not much worse, but it's not nearly as memorable. At least, it wasn't for me. But Rebel Assault 1 was one of my first CD games, along with Day of the Tentacle and Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, while I got RA2 at the same time as TIE Fighter. Yeah, it's hard to focus on that one when I also had one of the best games ever to play through.
I only have the Genesis version... it's alright, but not great. I do want the Sega CD version, though; the Genesis port has no cutscenes at all. It'd be nice to have a bit of story in the game.
I liked Loadstar, as I said... it's like a better version of Sewer Shark. Sewer Shark's not that great, but Loadstar's a bit more fun. It has similar gameplay, absolutely insane difficulty, but it has some pretty good video quality, an okay story, and decent, if incredibly confusing, gameplay. Loadstar also does save your progress, if you ever manage to complete the levels that is. The game does have a serious flaw in that the levels are gigantic, unbelievably confusing, all-identical mazes which you have strict time limits to work your way through -- and yes, it's a maybe game-killing flaw, as even just finishing the first of the four levels is a very serious challenge -- but even if I don't get through level 1, it's a fun game to ride around in... I only wish that the game actually told you which way to go in order to reach your destination. The few clues you get aren't nearly enough, and there's no map, tragically. Still though, the game looks nice, and plays alright, as long as you don't care about getting anywhere.
As for Tomcat Alley, though, I kind of hate that game. It'd probably be second on my list of worst, right after Supreme Warrior. Tomcat Alley has good video quality, but the "gameplay" is the worst... the game may look like a flight combat action or sim game or something, but it's just a "move the cursor over the correct button (or guess which one is right, it's not always clear) and click it at the correct time or you die" game. Zero fun is involved. At least Midnight Raiders, which is also a bad game, has some it's-so-bad-it's-good value, for the super-cheesy acting and basic, if excessively difficult past the first level, gameplay... for those who don't know, in Midnight Raiders, it's a lightgun-style game, but with the gamepad only. You move a cursor around and shoot at things. In level 1, you're in a helicopter. You have two fire buttons, one for ground targets and one for air. Press the right button for each type, and watch the recycled videos. You get three lives in this level. Once you beat it, you go to level 2, where you land in the enemy facility, and shoot people on foot. You get ONE life here -- die and you start the ENTIRE GAME OVER FROM THE START. Yeah, the game has no saving (a flaw some other FMV games like Tomcat Alley and Wirehead also share), and no continues at that point either, I don't think. It's absolutely insane. I've never gotten past it, but apparently there is a third level after that, and then the game ends. But even so, I'd much, much rather play it than "play" Tomcat Alley.
For those looking for various Scart cables from other than Retro Console Accessories (since they are always gone or out of stock often), there is the UK place retrogamingcables.co.uk. I've ordered from them before. They also have some more unique cable, things like Scart for Sigma and older computers. Price is comparable.
http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/
http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/
sixteen-bit
Member
Controversial opinion time: Quackshot > Ducktales.
Spectral Glider
Member
Yeah, visually the Sega CD version was the worst. I didn't mind the visuals too much, save for the over head T-16 level through the canyons. It was pretty much a muddy, pixelated mess. The rest I could make do with. I just didn't think the gameplay was all that exciting and overall it was kind of slow moving.
As for part II, I never owned it. I remember my buddy got it on PS1 and traded it in after a few weeks so I only got to play it maybe twice. Don't have much memory of what it was like. I just remember flying the Falcon through the asteroid field.
I liked Loadstar, as I said... it's like a better version of Sewer Shark. Sewer Shark's not that great, but Loadstar's a bit more fun. It has similar gameplay, absolutely insane difficulty, but it has some pretty good video quality, an okay story, and decent, if incredibly confusing, gameplay. Loadstar also does save your progress, if you ever manage to complete the levels that is. The game does have a serious flaw in that the levels are gigantic, unbelievably confusing, all-identical mazes which you have strict time limits to work your way through -- and yes, it's a maybe game-killing flaw, as even just finishing the first of the four levels is a very serious challenge -- but even if I don't get through level 1, it's a fun game to ride around in... I only wish that the game actually told you which way to go in order to reach your destination. The few clues you get aren't nearly enough, and there's no map, tragically. Still though, the game looks nice, and plays alright, as long as you don't care about getting anywhere.
I simply could not make heads or tails of that game and thought the difficulty was absurd. I remember renting it and thinking along the lines of, "OK, this is the last shot I'll give these FMV games." And that was that.
I grudgingly listed Tomcat Alley because I just remember playing it and thinking, "I don't hate this as much as the others." Probably solely because of the fighter jet theme and I think because it was full screen when most of the FMV games were played in windows.
Also, forgot to mention what I think was perhaps the worst and biggest disappointment on the Sega CD....Joe Montana Football. Just a complete disaster of a sports game. Bad controls, terrible frame rate, poor sound, you name it and this game failed at it.
Ehhh I wouldn't go that far but it is indeed very good. Certainly better than all of the Genesis Mickey Mouse games, for sure.
I just got a High Def Genesis in the other day. Grabbed it off ebay to replace my non High Def Model 1.
I really like it. I had always heard/knew the sound was better on these, but I didn't expect the picture to be so much better. My old Model 1 had really poor banding, especially on dark screens. Also the blacks always had a bit of yellow to them. This thing has a nice dark, bandless picture. I love it. I almost want to do the S-Video mode to it but I'm kind of scared to try it.
Also hooked up some old PC speakers to the headphone jack and it sounds pretty rad.
The system needed a bit of a cleaning and the headphone jack wasn't giving me sound out of the right speaker at first. I did a lame trick and inserted some tin foil in there which got it to work. You guys have experience fixing a headphone jack, particularly on a Genesis? I read that resoldering the jack to the board does the trick, but I didn't want to try to desolder until I knew for sure. The foil works for now.
Spectral Glider
Member
I say Genesis. Better controller, better tunes.
KDash31987
Member
I can't remember if I played the SNES version of Cool Spot or not, but I've always really enjoyed the Genesis version. Great music, and quite a bit of fun. I think I might go play it in a moment, actually. I also have the Game Gear version, which I remember being a pretty good port.
Anyway, I bought Sailor Moon for the Mega Drive for $30 earlier. It should be here early next week. It's a loose copy, which is something I would never normally buy, but it's better than paying around $100-$300, which is what the boxed listings I've seen go for. Like I mentioned in the previous page, I'm just gonna get an empty Genesis case and print out the cover that Sixfortyfive posted. I'm just glad I can finally have a copy.
Anyway, I bought Sailor Moon for the Mega Drive for $30 earlier. It should be here early next week. It's a loose copy, which is something I would never normally buy, but it's better than paying around $100-$300, which is what the boxed listings I've seen go for. Like I mentioned in the previous page, I'm just gonna get an empty Genesis case and print out the cover that Sixfortyfive posted. I'm just glad I can finally have a copy.
Ehhh I wouldn't go that far but it is indeed very good. Certainly better than all of the Genesis Mickey Mouse games, for sure.
I just got a High Def Genesis in the other day. Grabbed it off ebay to replace my non High Def Model 1.
Finally, someone with a good camera brings us proper Genesis porn!
Wow, I dont agree with this AT ALL. Quackshot has potential, but I didnt really like the controls and a lot of cheap enemies. I did like the exploration and the general theme though, a bit more polished and it would have been a great game. As it was, I had to force myself to complete it. Now Ducktales on the other hand...
Thanks! If you like, maybe I'll do a set of Genesis stuff and post it here.
Spectral Glider
Member
How about this for controversy, I haven't played Quackshot or Ducktales.
Hell yeah! Don't let me stop you. Oh man, if you had an accompanying SCD 1 under that baby and took shots like that... Oh lawd! lol!
I'm actually thinking of running a dedicated MegaDrive stream just playing random MegaDrive games. Tested OBS for like five minutes yesterday with a quick blast on Sonic 2 and already had 7 people watching despite the title of the stream saying I was testing only. How did people even find it that easily?
Haha, I would gladly do that IF I had a Sega CD. I'll see what I can do later though!
Seven Force
Banned
I like Quackshot a lot, but I think DuckTales still edges it out a bit.
(Possibly) controversial opinion: Deep Duck Trouble and Lucky Dime Caper > Quackshot
(Possibly) controversial opinion: Deep Duck Trouble and Lucky Dime Caper > Quackshot
sixteen-bit
Member
^I always heard good things about the SMS games, but I never had the chance to play them.
Seven Force
Banned
The 8-Bit Disney games are pretty good! Land of Illusion in particular's probably the best game in that particular series, and the GG/MS version of Castle of Illusion's better (and thankfully, a little more challenging) than it's Genesis counterpart.
Diablohead
Member
Somewhere I still have my cardboard box for my megadrive with sonic 1 advertised on the front, so many console boxes I wish that I kept.
Next tax return i'm going to buy myself a megadrive again, my megadrive is around somewhere but I am missing wires and shit, easier to buy a nice clean model 1 from ebay then hack together my mashup of megadrive 1 and 2 parts
Next tax return i'm going to buy myself a megadrive again, my megadrive is around somewhere but I am missing wires and shit, easier to buy a nice clean model 1 from ebay then hack together my mashup of megadrive 1 and 2 parts
This song is why the Genesis / Mega Drive version is superior:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=HgDeGGa486w#t=133s
My Sega CD. Got if for Christmas the year it was launched. This pic was from around 10 years ago before I packed it away. In recent years my younger brother had it out and he claims it boots but wouldn't read any of the games....interesting because it worked fine when I packed it.
I owned Snatcher, all the Working Designs games etc...enjoyed it. Unfortunately I was stupid and eBay'd them about 13 years ago because I needed the cash. I think I sold Snatcher off for $65.
My god...that box. I still think it looks so damn sexy. Gorgeous photography of the system. Reminds of me of getting my system back in the day.
Shadow Hog
Member
I don't disagree, but given the motor for the disc door opening/closing is notorious for giving out, and reliability > all else, the Model 2 works in a pinch.
Sixfortyfive
He who pursues two rabbits gets two rabbits.
I'll give you Palmtree Panic and Tidal Tempest, at least.
Shadow Hog
Member
You're welcome to your opinion.
Correct answer!
Spectral Glider
Member
I actually agree, Sonic Boom!